Unlike many other clubs, Liverpool do tend to go through a relatively formal and transparent process when it comes to setting allocations for games where there are safety issues.
Usually, the club’s ground safety advisory group will meet, compile a report and make a recommendation to Liverpool City Council’s licensing committee, which then makes the final decision.
But it is unlikely that there will be enough time for all that to happen before the end of January.
So Reds Away has asked Liverpool FC what will happen.
Under competition rules, United have the right to claim up to 6,791 tickets for this game.
Manchester City visit in the Carling Cup a few days before this game and they have been given 6,000 tickets in the Anfield Road End lower tier.
In August, Liverpool FC officials and Liverpool Licensing Committee members pledged to increase the size of United’s allocation for future games at Anfield if supporters did not block the gangways in October.
It is largely accepted that United fans did not block the gangways and so it is expected that there is no reason for reds not to get close to the 6,791 tickets, subject to Merseyside Police being able to provide enough police officers for the game.
However, the fact that the Force has felt able to deploy enough officers for the City match – an evening kick off – suggests that should not be an issue.
United should still reduce their away allocation in the league. Their supporters are prone to vandalising Old Trafford..theres one excuse right there.